Introduction

As a first step within the SAP S/4HANA, on-premise system conversion the customer will execute the Maintenance Planner. The Maintenance Planner checks the system with regards to business functions, industry solutions, and add-ons. If there is no valid path for the conversion (for example, the add-on is not released yet), the Maintenance Planner prevents the conversion.

It is recommended to get familiar with the SAP S/4HANA system conversion basic information.

The following SCN Blog provides specific information about the role of Business Functions within SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition 1511 and is based on the basic understanding of the system conversion process.

Business Functions

A business function is a building block of a business function set. From a business perspective, it represents a self-contained function that you can switch on. From a technical point of view, it is a set of switches that assign repository objects to the business function. Business functions are switched on at a system level. For more details regarding Business Functions see SAP Help: Link

Business Functions Sets

The business functions are grouped in business function sets in your ABAP-based ECC system. There are two types of business functions sets:

For most Industry Business Solutions, there is one business function set for each industry. You use this to change your clients of an ECC system over to the applications and solutions tailored for an industry. This business function set covers all industry business functions that can be used for an industry solution to be used exclusively on one system/one instance.

In addition to the industry-specific business function sets, there is a general business function set. This contains the Enterprise business functions and the Enterprise Extensions. These contain functions for the standard applications of Accounting, Logistics, Human Capital Management, and some additional industry-specific applications.

A business function set is activated when you have activated at least one of the related business functions. We therefore recommend that you activate the business function set when you start configuring your system, since the required industry-specific view of your Implementation Guide is only created once you have activated the related business function.

For more details regarding SAP ERP Business Functions and Industry Business Solutions see SAP Help: Link

Business Functions Status in SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition 1511

Business Functions can have the following status:

Always on,

Customer switchable,

Always off.

During the system conversion to SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition 1511 the following figure gives an overview about the handling of different status of Business Functions.

ALWAYS OFF in SAP S/4HANA

If a business function was switched “ON” in the Business Suite start release system, but defined as “always_off” in the SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition target release, then a system conversion is not possible with this release. (for Business Functions where the status cannot be reverted on start release)

SAP Note 2240359 – SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition 1511: Always-Off Business Functions. Find attached the list of Business Functions which are in state ALWAYS_OFF in SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition 1511 (as well included in SAP note as attachment):

Note 1: In this constellation it is not possible to convert this system and start a conversion program with the target of productive use. If the intention is a proof of concept to experience SAP S/4HANA it is possible to convert the system by applying a workaround in a non-productive testing environment.

Note 2: The status of following Business Functions which are currently (SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition 1511) in state “always_off” are planned to be changed.Find attached the list of Business Functions which are planned to be changed.

ALWAYS ON in SAP S/4HANA

If a business function was switched “OFF” in the start release system, but defined as “always_on” in the target release, then the business function will be activated during the conversion

SAP Note 2240360 – SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition 1511: Always-On Business Functions. Find attached the list of Business Functions which are in state ALWAYS_ON in SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition 1511 (as well included in SAP note as attachment):

CUSTOMER SWITCHABLE in SAP S/4HANA

If a business function is defined as “customer_switchable” in the target release (SAP S/4HANA, on-premise edition 1511), then the business function status remains unchanged from the status on start release.

Future roadmap and related Business Functions

For the following applications and industries there is a future roadmap. See additionally the following SAP S/4HANA Enterprise Management Roadmap: Link

Commodity Management

Additional Industries:

Healthcare

Retail / Fashion

Oil & Gas

IS-U (WASTE) – (*Roadmap for still to be defined

IS Media (*Roadmap for still to be defined)

The Business Functions related to these applications and industries are accordingly as well on a roadmap to be adapted. Find attached the list of Business Functions which related to these applications and industries.

as part of the customer care program the customer are requested to fill out a survey (in SAP Service Marketplace, there where you can download the S4 Software). Based on this process the customer care program is offering this workaround in communication with the customer.